In the 1980s the Cathedral sponsored a competition for children to design decorative sculpture for the new West Tower facade. One of the winners was 13-year-old Christopher Rader, who submitted a drawing of “this futuristic representation of evil.” I suppose we can all be deeply grateful that Beavis and Butthead weren’t around in the 80s.

First, bring binoculars! Darth Vader is very difficult to see by the naked eye. Leave the building through the ramp entrance which is through the wooden doors near the standing statue of Abraham Lincoln. Go down the ramp, and step onto the grass on your right. Then, turn around and look back up at the tower closest to you. Start at the top of the tower. There are two large pinnacles, or points, on the corners of the tower and a much smaller one in the center. Follow the center pinnacle down and find the first gablet, or tiny peaked roof. Darth Vader is the grotesque on the right on the north, or right-hand, side.

The cathedral offers tours of their grotesques, and photos of many of the gargoyles can be seen here.